oYiam. 


How  the  Printed  Page  Will  Help  to  Solve 
After-the-War  Problems  in  the 
Moslem  World 


By  Rev.  S.  M.  ZWEMER,  D.D.,  F.R.GS.,  of  Cairo 


The  power  of  the  printed  page  as  an  evangelistic  agency 
has  not  yet  been  realized:  although  it  is  obvious  that  it  can 
never  be  a substitute  for  the  living  voice,  it  is  often  true  that 
the  message  iu  this  form  is  more  persuasive,  more  permanent, 
and  reaches  a larger  audience  than  that  spoken  by  human 
lips.  The  printed  page  is  the  ubiquitous  missionary  and  tin* 
printed  message  has  often  entered  closed  lands  and  penetrated 
into  the  most  secluded  villages.  Twenty  years  ago  a mission- 
ary in  Arabia  received  an  order  for  the  Bible,  a Commentary, 
and  a Concordance  from  Mecca  itself.  In  many  lands  the 
post  office  has  become  an  evangelistic  agency.  It  carries  Chris- 
tian literature  unobtrusively  into  the  homes  of  all  classes,  and 
those  who  have  tried  this  method  are  enthusiastic  regarding 
its  effectiveness  and  comparative  economy.  Our  readers 
know  of  the  strength,  the  enterprise  and  the  growth  of  the 
Moslem  Press  in  recent  years,  especially  in  Egypt,  Persia  and 
Russia.  Attention  is  called  in  this  number  to  the  extent  of 
the  Turkish  Press  and  its  power  in  binding  together  the  Tur- 
kish races. 

Experiments  made  in  Egypt  on  a small  scale  have,  even 
during  the  days  of  war,  shown  that  it  is  possible  to  use  the 
newspapers  of  the  Far  East  to  get  a hearing  for  the  Gospel 
Message.  What  has  been  done  on  these  lines,  and  on  a large 
scale,  in  Japan  and  China  might  also  well  be  attempted,  at 
least  in  a measure,  for  Moslems. 

“The  Apostle  Paul  at  Athens,”  says  Dr.  Albertus  Pieters, 
“disputed  in  the  market  daily,  because  the  market  place 
was  where  the  Athenians  congregated  to  do  their  buying  and 
selling,  and  to  discuss  questions  of  public  interest.  This 
is  not  done  in  the  market  place  nowadays,  either  in  Amer- 


ica,  or  in  Japan,  but  in  the  newspapers.  Not  to  speak  of  pub- 
lic discussion,  which  goes  without  saving,  the  very  buying 
and  selling  are  done  in  the  papers,  for  the  most  difficult  and 
essential  part  of  the  salesman's  work,  that  of  inducing  the 
customer  to  desire  his  wares,  is  done  in  the  newspapers.”  We 
must  induce  those  who  have  no  interest  in  the  Gospel  Message 
to  read  the  book  by  advertising  its  contents,  and  compel  men 
to  answer  the  question,  “What  think  ye  of  the  Christ?”  by 
facing  them  with  the  facts  of  His  life  and  death  and  resurrec- 
tion power.  Much  has  been  written  on  the  importance  of  the 
Christian  Press,  but  nothing  is  more  interesting  and  up  to 
date  than  some  passages  in  the  old  classic,  Banyan’s  The  Hoh / 
War.  Everything  he  sa}  s in  that  book  regarding  Ear-gate  and 
Eye-gate  is  suggestive.  For  example,  what  could  better  de- 
scribe the  battle  of  the  Press  in  Cairo : — 

“I  saw  the  battering  rams,  and  how  they  played 
To  beat  ope  Ear-gate,  and  I was  afraid, 

Not  only  Ear-gate,  but  the  very  town 

Would  by  those  battering  rams  be  beaten  down. 

I saw  the  fights,  and  heard  the  captain  shout, 

And  in  each  battle  saw  who  faced  about : 

I saw  who  wounded  were,  and  who  were  slain ; 

And  who  when  dead  would  come  to  life  again.” 

Of  the  Moslem  world  in  general  as  of  the  human  heart 
in  particular,  we  may  truly  say,  that  “Lord  Willbewill  took 
special  care  that  the  gates  should  be  secured  with  double 
guards,  double  bolts,  and  double  locks  and  bars.  And  that 
Ear-gate  (especially)  might  the  better  be  looked  to,  for  that 
was  the  gate  which  the  King’s  forces  sought  most  to  enter ; so 
he  made  one  old  Mr.  Prejudice  (an  angry  and  ill-conditioned 
fellow)  captain  of  the  ward  at  that  gate,  and  put  under  his 
power  sixty  men,  called  Deaf-men ; men  advantageous  for  that 
service,  forasmuch  as  they  mattered  no  words  of  the  captains, 
nor  of  their  soldiers.”  But  afterwards  in  the  allegory,  the  city 
of  Man-soul  is  taken  through  Ear-gate  and  Eye-gate,  Mr. 
Prejudice  is  kicked  and  tumbled  down  in  the  dirt  and  “from 
Ear-gate  the  street  ran  straight  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Recorder” : 
for  faith  cometh  by  hearing  and  hearing  by  the  Word  of  God. 

It.  is  a remarkable  testimony  to  the  power  of  the  printed 
page  that  nearly  all  the  enquirers  in  Moslem  lands  have  first 
been  led  to  Christ  by  means  of  a book  or  tract.  It  is  because 
of  this  that  every  missionary  should  try  to  be  a colporteur 
and  tract  distributor.  Neither  poverty  of  purse  nor  pride  of 
position,  nor  prejudice  against  this  method  because  it  is  some- 
times abused,  should  prevent  him  from  having  at  hand  in  his 

2 


pocket  and  reception  room  an  adequate  quantity  and  variety 
of  Christian  literature.  This  method  of  approach  is  open  to 
all,  and  if  it  is  followed  with  sympathy,  it  is  everywhere  wel- 
comed. 

Because  of  the  neglect  of  the  printed  page  by  so  many 
societies  and  workers,  we  need  prayer  that  new  writers  may 
be  raised  up  of  God,  that  funds  and  leisure  may  be  found  to 
make  present  workers  more  effective;  that  the  message  of  the 
printed  page  may  be  a tongue  of  fire,  and  that  all  that  is 
written  may  be  founded  on  first  hand  Oriental  experience,  not 
on  translations  of  incidents  and  stories  from  the  West.  Above 
all,  we  need  to  hold  before  us  the  real  aim  of  Christian  litera- 
ture: it  is  to  quicken  hearts  and  build  up  character.  There 
has  been  enough  literature  of  the  controversial  type,  destruc- 
tively critical  of  Islam.  These  books  were  useful  in  their  day 
and  still  have  a place,  and  an  important  place,  as  the  plough- 
share for  the  sowing  of  the  Truth ; but  a new  era  calls  for  a new 
program.  We  need  a careful  survey  of  the  real  desiderata 
and  a larger  co-operation  between  Western  Asia  and  North 
Africa  after  the  war.  The  Arabic  speaking  lands  are  prac- 
tically a unit  as  regards  the  character  of  literature  required. 
Whether  this  literature  should  be  in  classical  Arabic  or  in 
the  various  vernaculars  is  really  a subordinate  question.  We 
need  a vision  of  the  whole  task.  Now  is  the  opportunity  to 
break  away  from  old  precedents  in  the  preparation  and  dis- 
tribution of  literature,  if  they  have  been  based  upon  old  preju- 
dices. There  are  new  ways  for  presenting  the  one  and  only 
Gospel.  The  war  has  taught  us  many  lessons,  but  none  more 
clearly  than  the  power  of  the  Tress.  During  the  present  war 
the  Press  was  used  to  sow  intrigue  and  sedition.  It  has  also 
been  used  with  telling  effect  to  instruct  and  enlighten  the 
masses  concerning  the  real  issues  of  the  war,  to  awaken  a sense 
of  loyalty  and  arouse  a spirit  of  sacrifice.  In  this  respect  Rud- 
yard  Kipling  is  among  the  prophets.  Has  he  not  said : 

“The  Pope  may  launch  his  Interdict, 

The  Union  its  decree : 

But  the  bubble  is  blown  and  the  bubble  is  pricked 
By  Us  and  such  as  We ; 

Remember  the  battle  and  stand  aside 
While  thrones  and  powers  confess 

That  King  over  all  the  children  of  Pride 
Is  the  Press — the  Press — the  Press  !” 


3 


What  Americans  Are  Doing  to  Help  Solve 

the  Problem 


The  American  Christian  Literature  Society  for  Moslems 
By  Rev.  CHARLES  R.  WATSON  D.D.,  President 


There  are  some  things  which  Missionary  Societies  have 
found  they  can  do  better  unitedly  than  independently.  One 
of  these  is  the  production  and  distribution  of  Christian  lit- 
erature. 

In  1910,  through  the  zeal  and  initiative  of  Dr.  Samuel 
M.  Zwemer,  a group  of  friends  were  brought  together  for  con- 
sultation and  prayer,  with  a view  to  providing  an  American 
base  for  the  Nile  Mission  Press  of  London,  with  which  Dr. 
Zwemer  was  actively  connected.  This  group  organized  “The 
New  York  Auxiliary  of  the  Nile  Mission  Press”  and  through 
their  efforts  $29,200  was  raised  for  the  building  in  Cairo 
which  the  Nile  Mission  Press  now  uses  as  its  headquarters  in 
Egypt.  In  addition  to  this,  contributions  were  obtained  for 
the  printing  and  distribution  of  literature. 

As  time  elapsed,  and  the  contacts  of  the  Auxiliary  mul- 
tiplied, an  earnest  desire  manifested  itself  among  donors  for 
an  independent  American  organization  which  might  make 
a stronger  appeal  to  American  givers,  and  which  might  also 
widen  the  scope  of  its  services  so  as  to  co-operate  directly 
with  agencies  producing  and  distributing  literature  in  other 
Moslem  areas  than  Egypt.  Thus  it  came  about  that  in  1915, 
the  American  Christian  Literature  Society  for  Moslems  (al- 
phabetically referred  to  as  the  A.  C.  L.  S.  M.)  was  organized 
and  incorporated.  On  its  Board  of  Managers  are  representa- 
tives of  at  least  five  different  churches  and  missionary  bodies, 
so  that  the  interdenominational  and  union  character  of  the 
organization  is  well  established. 

The  Society’s  methods  of  work  are  simple  and  safe.  For 
flu*  guidance  of  the  Board  of  Managers  in  the  making  of  ap- 
propriations, Advisory  Committees  are  formed  in  (he  areas 


4 


in  which  it  is  desired  to  work.  These  committees  are  made  up 
of  representatives  of  missions  operating  within  the  mission- 
ary areas  and  serve  to  acquaint  the  American  society  with  the 
needs  of  these  fields  and  the  mature  judgment  of  these 
missions.  Prayer  Circles  have  been  formed  at  a number  of 
points,  and  there  are  strong  Auxiliaries  at  other  points  co- 
operating in  extending  interest  and  support.  The  treasurer 
of  the  Society  is  Mrs.  E.  E.  Olcott  (322  West  75th  Street,  New 
York  City)  and  the  corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Mont- 
gomery (P.  O.  Box  888,  New  York  City).  These  and  other 
workers  render  volunteer  service  so  that  all  funds  contributed 
are  sent  direct  to  the  fields. 

Last  year  the  Society’s  activities  centered  in  Egypt. 
Through  its  Advisory  Committee,  publication  of  literature 
such  as  the  following  was  promoted:  “The  Sinlessness  of  the 
Prophets,”  “Bible  Exposition  Series,”  “El  Hadaya,”  “Choice 
Sermons,”  “Character  of  Jesus,”  “Pact  of  Christ,”  “Many  In- 
fallible Proofs,”  and  “Marks  of  a Man.” 

Through  the  co-operation  of  the  Society  a gift  of  $2,000 
was  secured  from  the  .Milton  Stewart  Evangelistic  Fund  for 
the  publication  of  Dr.  Torrey’s  book,  “What  the  Bible 
Teaches,”  and  a number  of  tracts.  Over  $17,000  was  also 
forwarded  to  the  Nile  Mission  Press  from  the  estate  of  the  late 
William  W.  Borden. 

The  Society  is  now  extending  its  activities  to  two  new 
spheres.  First  China.  This  decision  followed  immediately 
upon  the  visit  of  Dr.  Zwemer,  the  Society’s  original  founder, 
to  China.  The  attention  of  the  missionary  forces  in  China 
has  been  turned  to  what  is  not  so  much  a peril  as  a rare  op- 
portunity— a hitherto  undeveloped  opportunity— of  winning 
Chinese  Moslems  to  Christ.  Into  this  field,. whose  first  require 
ments  lie  along  the  line  of  Christian  literature,  the  Americai 
Christian  Literature  Society  for  Moslems  desires  to  enter  in 
co-operation  with  other  stronger  agencies. 

The  other  field  into  which  the  Society  wishes  to  enter, 
at  least  in  a co-operative  way,  is  that  of  Moslem  childhood. 
Islam  has  cruelly  shortened  childhood  days.  It  has  thrust 
boys  and  girls  all  too  soon  into  the  responsibilities  and  reali- 
ties of  adult  life.  But  under  Western  and  especially  Chris- 
tian influence,  this  period  of  childhood  is  being  extended.  It 
needs  enriching.  This  calls  for  Christian  literature  especially 
adapted  to  children. 

It  is  time  that  Christians  were  stirred  deeply  to  engage 
a marked  forward  movement  to  give  the  Gospel  to  Moslems 
at  this  time. 


5 


The  poicer  of  the  Turk  is  waning.  This  is  an  historical 
fact  which  places  a new  significance  upon  the  opportunity  for 
freedom  of  thought  within  the  Moslem  world.  Across  the  past 
century  Mohammedan  political  power  has  been  disintegrating, 
but  Turkish  rule  vanished  from  Egypt  with  the  beginning  of 
this  war  when  a British  Protectorate  was  declared.  From 
Mesopotamia  and  Persia  the  Turk  is  also  withdrawing.  These 
are  great  movements  of  God.  Because  the  power  of  the  Turk 
is  waning  a new  day  of  freedom  in  thought-life  and  in  religious 
life  is  dawning.  This  is  a challenge  for  a forward  movement 
in  the  production  of  Christian  literature. 

The  horizon  of  Islam  4s  broadening.  Few  there  are  who 
realize  how  wonderfully  this  war  is  being  used  to  broaden  the 
thought-life  of  Islam.  From  Algeria  and  Tunisia,  from  Egypt 
and  India  thousands  of  Moslems  have  gone  to  France  to  serve 
either  in  the  native  battalions  or  in  the  fighting  ranks.  As 
these  go  back  to  their  homes  in  the  hinterlands  of  Africa,  in 
the  remote  villages  of  India,  they  will  tell  the  story  of  how 
they  went  over  the  great  waters,  how  thew  saw  the  white  man’s 
houses  rising  to  the  very  heavens,  and  how  his  great  cities  are 
spread  out  like  the  forests  of  Africa.  And  as  they  talk,  and 
talk,  and  talk — as  they  undoubtedly  will — the  horizons  of 
Mohammedanism  that  were  hitherto  so  contracted  and  narrow, 
so  hedged  in  by  ignorance  and  prejudice,  will  be  pushed  back 
and  broadened  as  they  never  have  been  before.  With  this 
broadening  of  the  horizon  of  Islam,  a new  opportunity  de- 
velops for  Christian  literature. 

The  influence  of  Christianity  is  penetrating.  During  the 
war  Robert  College  at  Constantinople  and  the  Woman’s 
College  on  the  Bosphorus  have  continued  in  operation  and 
the  children  of  leading  families  in  Turkey  have  been  in  at- 
tendance. The  influence  of  Christianity  is  penetrating  into 
every  circle  of  Mohammedan  life.  The  old  days  of  Islam  have 
passed.  A new  day  has  dawned  and  it  calls  for  Christian 
literature. 

The  alignment  of  Mohammedanism  is  changing.  The 
sword  of  Islam  has  been  broken,  but  this  does  not  mean  the 
disappearance  of  the  Moslem  faith.  It  simply  means  a new 
alignment.  The  old  argument  of  force  is  ruled  out,  but  a new 
argument  has  appeared,  the  argument  of  reason.  The  centre 
of  influence  in  the  Mohammedan  world  has  shifted  from  the 
political  centre  at  Constantinople  to  the  intellectual  centre 
at  Cairo.  Because  of  all  this,  the  printed  page  gains  a new 
significance.  Christian  literature  takes  on  a new  value. 

Lastly,  the  promises  of  Cod  are  challenging.  We  do  not 

6 


despair  of  the  Moslem  world.  We  believe  God  is  going  to 
save  the  Moslem  world,  save  its  peoples  from  all  those  influ- 
ences that  have  been  their  sorrow  and  their  disgrace.  Our 
eyes  are  seeing  the  very  things  for  which  men  of  faith  have 
long  waited  and  for  which  women  of  prayer  have  long  inter- 
ceded. In  the  proposed  advance  of  this  campaign  of  love  the 
promises  of  God  bulk  large.  Because  we  have  these  promises 
and  because  they  challenge  us  to  great  expectations  within 
the  Moslem  world,  we  must  attempt  great  things  along  the 
lines  of  Christian  literature  for  this  Moslem  world  that  it  may 
be  saved. 

Dr.  Zwemer  makes  a special  appeal  that  during  his  stay  in 
America  the  sum  of  $25,000.00  he  raised  for  Christian  Liter- 
ature, among  Moslems.  Some  of  this  is  for  production  and 
other  for  distribution. 

A proposed  allotment,  subject  to  revision,  is  as  follows: 

“$2,000.00  for  printing  12  leaflets  in  the  Sart  and  Turki 
languages  for  the  Moslems  of  Russia; 

“$5,000.00  for  the  new  publications  in  Chinese  and  Chi- 
nese-Arabic  under  the  direction  of  the  China  Continuation 
Committee; 

“$3,000.00  for  the  free  distribution  and  the  payment  of 
special  Colportage  in  Arabia  where  the  four  mission  societies 
face  new  opportunities  because  of  the  war; 

“$10,000.00  for  production  and  distribution  through  the 
Nile  Mission  Press,  including  the  plan  of  the  Woman’s  Maga- 
zine, a New  Testament  Commentary  and  other  books; 

“$5,000.00  for  the  Beirut  Press  which  has  suffered  loss  on 
account  of  the  war.” 

Prayer  Circles  and  Auxiliaries. 

New  York  Circles  meet — November  to  May,  every  Monday  at 
12  M.,  13  West  54th  St. 

Every  Friday,  11:30  A.  M. ; Apt.  4D,  801  West  End  Avenue, 
corner  99th  St. 

Newark  Circle  meets  every  Wednesday  evening,  8 P.  M.,  at 
136  Garside  St. 

Poughkeepsie  Circle  meets  every  Thursday  afternoon,  4 P.  M.,' 
at  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  Canon  St. 

Mt.  Vernon  Circle  meets  third  Wednesdays,  10  A.  M.,  at  Y.  W. 
C.  A. 

Germantown  Circle  meets  third  Thursdays,  11  A.  M.,  at  263 
West  Rittenhouse  St. 

Baltimore  Circle  meets  second  Thursdays,  3 P.  M.,  at  825 
Park  Ave. 


7 


THE  AMERICAN  CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE  SOCIETY 

FOR  MOSLEMS,  INC. 

Board  of  Directors. 

Rev.  Charles  R.  Watson,  D.D.,  President. 

Delavan  L.  Pierson,  1st  Vice-President. 

Robert  E.  Speer,  2d  Vice-President. 

Rev.  James  L.  Barton,  D.D. 

Mrs.  William  Borden. 

John  M.  Cornell. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Bancroft  Hill. 

George  Innes. 

Mrs.  E.  E.  Olcott,  Treasurer,  322  West  75th  St.,  New  York. 
Mrs.  James  M.  Montgomery,  Secretary,  Box  888,  New  York. 
Miss  Anna  L.  Dawes. 

Rev.  Frank  Mason  North,  D.D. 

Mrs.  Finley  J.  Shepard. 

Mrs.  Delavan  L.  Pierson. 

Fennell  P.  Turner. 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Tyndall,  D.D. 


Membership. 

Patrons  of  the  Society,  $100. 

Life  Membership,  $50. 

Honorary  Associate  Membership,  $25. 

Sustaining  Associate  Membership,  $10. 

Annual  Membership,  $2  (or  more). 

Make  check  payable  to  Mrs.  E.  E.  Olcott,  322  West  75th 
St.,  New  York  City. 


8 


